the Fool, Teigue could tell him all
about it, for Teigue has learned all about it when he has been cutting
the nets.

WISE M. Tell me; tell me!

FOOL. I said, Teigue knows everything. Not even the cats or the hares
that milk the cows have Teigue's wisdom. But Teigue will not speak; he
says nothing.

WISE M. Tell me, tell me! For under the cover the grains are falling,
and when they are all fallen I shall die; and my soul will be lost if I
have not found somebody that believes! Speak, speak!

FOOL [_looking wise_]. No, no, I won't tell you what is in my mind,
and I won't tell you what is in my bag. You might steal away my
thoughts. I met a bodach on the road yesterday, and he said, "Teigue,
tell me how many pennies are in your bag; I will wager three pennies
that there are not twenty pennies in your bag; let me put in my hand
and count them." But I pulled the strings tighter, like this; and when
I go to sleep every night I hide the bag where no one knows.

WISE M. [_goes towards the hour-glass as if to uncover it_]. No, no, I
have not the courage. [_He kneels._] Have pity upon me, Fool, and tell
me!

FOOL. Ah! Now, that is different. I am not afraid of you now. But I
must come nearer to you; somebody in there might hear what the Angel
said.

WISE M. Oh, what did the Angel tell you?

FOOL. Once I was alone on the hills, and an angel came by and he said,
"Teigue the Fool, do not forget the Three Fires; the Fire that
punishes, the Fire that purifies, and the Fire wherein the soul
rejoices for ever!"

WISE M. He believes! I am saved! The sand has run out.... [FOOL _helps
him to his chair._] I am going from the country of the seven wandering
stars, and I am going to the country of the fixed stars!... I
understand it all now. One sinks in on God; we do not see the truth;
God sees the truth in us. Ring the bell. [FOOL _rings bell._] Are they
coming? Tell them, Fool, that when the life and the mind are broken the
truth comes through them like peas through a broken peascod. Pray,
Fool, that they may be given a sign and carry their souls alive out of
the dying world. Your prayers are better than mine.

[FOOL _bows his head_. WISE MAN's _head sinks on his arm on
the books_. PUPILS _are heard singing as before, but now they
come right into the room before they cease their song._]

A YOUNG MAN. Look at the Fool turned bell-ringer!

ANOTHER. What have you called us in for, Teigue? What ar